Mariners offseason thread 2025-26

[sutz]

No doubt. After watching that ALCS, I was pretty impressed with Toronto. They had the 2nd least Ks in the entire league. That's an offense I would love to see here. Put the damn ball in play. Stop swinging for the damn fence all the time.

The park gets a lot of bad press because it's harder to hit HRs there. It's not really bad for high average players. If you can hit singles and get on base for the big boppers you can do a lot of scoring. It's what Montreal did to us.

I've been singing this tune for years. Sure, you need a few guys who can hit power, but you also need hitters who can hit high averages as well. It's what I love about Naylz. He hit near .300 with some pop behind it. Another couple of guys who can do that would be sweet.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The thing that REALLY stood out to me was the 7-9 guys, esp. in the ALCS. Toronto was killing it with the bottom of the order. Guys putting the bat on the ball, contributing. Our 7-9 was putrid.

 

[Crizilla]

Yeah Canzone and Robles shat the bed in the playoffs. Tucker at RF would fit perfect for the M's.

 

[Azvacar]

Talking heads making bold assumptions we would go after Skubal.... I don't believe that for a minute, do you guys?

The farm players we would have to unload for that? Seriously?

I really do hate the offseason haha

Also DumbPoto said he expects the salary to be the same next year, even after our unloaded contracts, giving us only 30 million to spend on players "per year"

That total doesnt really bring us Tucker, Skubal or anything high end.... Imagine not wanting to go above 165 friggen million dollars, when you were one game away from the WS

"The Mariners are widely expected to be aggressive in free agency, but they also have the prospect capital to pull off massive trades. And if there's anybody who can be counted on to be aggressive when the moment demands it, it's Dipoto."


What are these writers seeing in Dipotos history, that we as fans do not? On what planet is "aggressive" in his mindset... Aggressively mid?

 

[Azvacar]

Polanco declines 6 million option. Free Agent.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Talking heads making bold assumptions we would go after Skubal.... I don't believe that for a minute, do you guys?

The farm players we would have to unload for that? Seriously?

I really do hate the offseason haha

Also DumbPoto said he expects the salary to be the same next year, even after our unloaded contracts, giving us only 30 million to spend on players "per year"

That total doesnt really bring us Tucker, Skubal or anything high end.... Imagine not wanting to go above 165 friggen million dollars, when you were one game away from the WS

"The Mariners are widely expected to be aggressive in free agency, but they also have the prospect capital to pull off massive trades. And if there's anybody who can be counted on to be aggressive when the moment demands it, it's Dipoto."


What are these writers seeing in Dipotos history, that we as fans do not? On what planet is "aggressive" in his mindset... Aggressively mid?

He went to school at Seattle U. Would be a huge add. I doubt it happens, but he hasn't tried to hide his love for Seattle.
They were 8 outs from a World Series. They have all the momentum in the world. Look what they did at the deadline. None of us really thought they would get those 2 guys. They get outbid a lot, but as much as I've never been Dipoto fan, he did a pretty decent job for once.
This team has an incredible minor league system in place, VERY good pitching and are dumping some contracts.

Stoked for next season. But, I'll get told I'm satisfied to almost get to the series.
NO, I'm not at all. But I also appreciate a very good season, best they've ever had, and this team is on the rise. That wasn't an ending, that was a beginning. I had an absolute blast last year, been awhile. Plenty will disagree, and that's fine.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

That all being said, if these f***** go bargain hunting and goodwill shopping, they are going to lose a lot of fans.

 

[sutz]

No mention of signing Munoz yet?

https://www.mlb.com/news/andres-munoz-mitch-garver-jorge-polanco-2026-options

SEATTLE -- Andrés Muñoz, as expected, had his club option exercised by the Mariners and will return as Seattle’s closer in 2026 for $7 million.

Sign him while he's still cheap.

 

[NoGain]

I don't want this off season to turn into the 2022 off season all over again. That really turned me off about the franchise. They reeled me in hard with the 2022 season after years of futility, only to pitch nickels around like manhole covers. We can't expect our farm to produce more than one possible everyday starter. We've got to spend to win.

 

[Crizilla]

Tucker and Shwarber both got a qualifying offer, no surprise.
M's have 6 players they need to tender/non-tender. My guess is they tender kirby and gilbert then have them hit FA in 2027. I think the rotation will be the same maybe minus Castillo because he could be traded. Bro is scheduled to make 25 mill next year and in 2027. They probably try to keep Randy for cheap but idk what Randy wants to make...he didnt play that well in the playoffs...maskes sense to sign him to another 1 year deal IMO. Thornton coming off injury i would imagine they wont offer him a ton. Spier probably gets offered a couple mill. He was decent for us.
Real questions are do they sign Polcano, Geno, and Naylor? You can't go back to having a trash infield. And do they trade or sign an outfielder? They picked up Munoz' option at 6 milly which makes sense.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I'm good with Williamson at 3rd.

 

[Crizilla]

Sign Murakami

 

[Azvacar]

I'm good with Williamson at 3rd.

Lets see how he progresses.... I love his defense... he needs to up his game in the hitting Dept.... Because id still take 48 hrs over what he was doing even with Genos strikeouts.

Do we put Colt at SS and trade off JP? YOung stays at Second as Polanco will most likely get more than we would give him because of his year?

Garver Im good with.. FOrd can backup and be a better fit... If Naylor doesnt re sign... whos at first?

 

[Azvacar]

Sign Murakami

Dodgers.... easy sign lol.... Their manager is half japanese... Ichiro is our only sway.

 

[IndyHawk]

Lets see how he progresses.... I love his defense... he needs to up his game in the hitting Dept.... Because id still take 48 hrs over what he was doing even with Genos strikeouts.

Do we put Colt at SS and trade off JP? YOung stays at Second as Polanco will most likely get more than we would give him because of his year?

Garver Im good with.. FOrd can backup and be a better fit... If Naylor doesnt re sign... whos at first?

Garver is gone, M's declined his option and that puts money back into
signing Nails.

 

[Ruminator]

So Kevin Seitzer is supposed to be a pretty good hitting coach, and Edgar also has a broad role overseeing hitting strategy. If M's keep Seitzer going into 2026, I hope he can continue (assuming he's sort of in the middle of a work in progress) to have a positive impact on the handful of less-than-stellar hitters that showed like an ugly wart at times during the playoffs. Or might M's be well served to get an upgrade there, assuming even better hitting coaches walk the planet. I don't know, just ruminating. Maybe it's simply a matter of getting better hitters.

 

[hawkfan68]

If the following tidbit on ESPN is true, then it seems that Naylor is staying with Mariners -

Nov. 16​

First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. The first major free agent to sign this winter goes back to Seattle, where he was beloved after joining the Mariners in a deadline trade.

MLB free agency tracker: 2025-26 offseason trades, moves

We've got you covered on all the major MLB hot stove signings and trades.

www.espn.com

 

[SuperSonic67]

Great news…glad they prioritized this signing!

 

[86Hawk]

YEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!! Please don't be done!

 

[sutz]

5 years seems a little long, but I won't complain if it's true. Wanna see the deets, though it doesn't matter much what I think. I don't worry much about the money side. That's Jerry's job.